Last week, a quintessential only-in-Florida story popped up after the strong winds from Hurricane-turned-Tropical Storm Nicole took out a giant Christmas tree in Altamonte Springs.
Face it: There just aren’t many places in the world where you’re going to read “Hurricane topples Christmas tree” headlines.
Over on Twitter, the reactions were not sympathetic:
“Having a Christmas tree up before Thanksgiving, you get what you deserve!”
“Why would it be there on November 10th?”
“FOX has been saying for years that there is a War on Christmas. TS Nicole was OBVIOUSLY an atheist.”
Listen, I get that early decorating gets some folks’ stockings in a knot.
But to those people, I’d like to introduce Jason Cicchetti.
I met Jason last week while taking a long, gloomy walk after a long, gloomy day in a house without power.
Nicole’s tail winds were still whipping at sunset Thursday when I spotted Jason in his front yard attaching Christmas lights to every square inch of his Audubon Park home.
The guy was channeling Clark Griswold before Veterans Day, creating a winter wonderland even as tropical storm clouds raced overhead.
I walked on by but then thought: No, I need to know more. So I doubled back to ask him why he was involving himself in such joyful holiday tradition on such an obviously joyless day.
Jason told me I’d answered my own question.
With so much gloom and doom in the world — everything from nasty storms to ugly campaigns — he wanted to spread some cheer, especially for his 5- and 7-year-old daughters.
So, as soon as the wind and rain let up, Jason grabbed his hammer, his lights and his tool belt and headed outside, noting: “This is the first time I’ve ever had my Christmas decorating interrupted by a hurricane.”
The icicles and string lights lit up his whole yard as his girls scurried giddily around in their pajamas, picking up acorns and generally marveling at the labor-intensive luminescence their Dad was providing.
Jason’s philosophy is: It’s never too early for joy. And boy, do I like that philosophy.
In fact, I’m here today to offer a passionate defense for anyone who wants to get their Christmas spirit on whenever the jingle bell they want.
Let the Grinches grumph. But at a time when America seems as angry as ever, I’m here for anyone who wants to bring a little more joy to the world.
And I love that Floridians in particular seem extra eager to start early, often replacing their Jack-o-lanterns with nutcrackers.
Sure, it’s a little weird to hear Bing Crosby and Wham! on the radio when it’s still so hot outside that your thighs are sticking to your car seat. And when Orlando’s most popular holiday-music channel, 107.7 FM, switched over to Christmas tunes last week (yes, last week), some listeners immediately started grousing.
“I’m sorry, they are really taking away from the holiday,” one listener complained on the station’s Facebook page.
Another said people would immediately start changing the station.
So I switched stations myself to check out the grousers’ perspective. Over on the AM dial, Glenn Beck was fuming about transgender youth. On another station, an angry host was screaming about tyranny.
You guys keep on ranting. I’ll take Bing and Wham!
Also, it makes sense that Floridians like getting Christmas on early, since Florida historians say America’s first official Christmas was celebrated outside Tallahassee in 1539 … which I think was also about the same time Charlie Crist first started running for political office.
Listen, I know Christmas isn’t the most joyful time for everyone. Some people don’t celebrate the holiday. Others are going through tough times. But I’ll never understand the fury some people have about other people who are simply eager to spread joy.
And as I watched Jason fetch another string of lights — while his daughters squealed with delight and their mother watched with a smile — I was sure Jason was doing that. At least for his family.
So, well done, Jason. And Merry Christmas.
What are you thankful for?
Speaking of the holidays, next Thursday is Thanksgiving, when I run my annual column of “101 Things to Love about Central Florida.” And I’d love your suggestions and nominations for what you’d like to see on this year’s list.
We’re talking about the people, places, events, organizations, businesses, natural attractions and unique experiences that make Central Florida a special place to live — and different from anywhere else in the world.
So if you have anything or anyone you’d like to nominate, feel free to send your ideas to smaxwell@orlandosentinel.com by the end of the week.
No grinching or grumphing allowed.
